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Since 1997, Fauquier County
has had an agreement with the Vint Hill Economic Development
Authority (VHEDA) to provide personnel and financial
services to support the VHEDA.
When
the Army announced
that Vint Hill Farms would be closed as part of the Defense
Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) process in 1993, the
Supervisors were concerned about the impact on Fauquier
County. At the time, Vint Hill Farms was one of the largest
employers in the County accounting for 2,656 jobs or 14% of
all jobs within the County. During this time period, the
County took many proactive steps to assist with the creation
and functioning of the VHEDA such as providing the local 25%
matching funds for Federal “planning grants”. The Board of
Supervisors was supportive of the creation of the VHEDA and
saw it as an opportunity for economic development in the
County. The County also provided assistance to VHEDA in the
form of payroll and human resource services. The general
understanding was that when the VHEDA was in a stronger
financial position that a revised agreement would be
established but until such time the County would provide
these services as a means of promoting economic
development.
In the past two years the
resources available to the VHEDA have increased. It is
believed that it is now appropriate for the County to
receive compensation for the payroll and human resource
services provided. Discussions regarding a new agreement
were initiated last fiscal year.
The proposed Agreement
reflects the support presently provided and makes provisions
for the VHEDA to advance funds to cover payroll liabilities
so that the County will no longer be in the position of
advancing payroll funds for the VHEDA’s program. In addition
the County will receive $12,500 annually for the Human
Resources and Financial services support provided.
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